Citizens can help cut drug supply chain

A fresh front in the war on drugs, the abuse of prescription medications, has proven an unwieldy challenge for law enforcers in recent years. Stopping these legal yet dangerous commodities from landing in the wrong hands is made more difficult thanks to the tangled web of supply routes.

Every member of the community can, and should, play a role in suppressing the sometimes-deadly recreational use of doctor-prescribed pills - a problem acutely plaguing teens and young adults.

Credit aggressive government actors with shining needed light on Rx fraud and abuse. U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. has beaten the drum loudly, teaming with experts in law enforcement, health and addiction to host "Call to Action" summits in Rochester and Buffalo.

At the state level, the scrutiny of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has made way for the overdue creation of a real-time online tracking system for prescriptions (signed into law last summer) and reforms within New York's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement to combat prevalent fraud and errors (announced last month).

But while sophisticated schemes divert meds from pharmacies to back alleys, the habit can take hold right at home. Users often get their start by raiding the family medicine cabinet, or robbing someone else's.

Do you know what pills are in your house? Find out, and get rid of the expired and the unneeded.

The Drug Enforcement Agency coordinates biannual National Take Back Day collections in the Rochester area - on Sept. 29, they netted more than 6,200 pounds.

And Monroe County regularly disposes of unwanted medications for residents. More individuals must take advantage. For available drop-off dates, call (585) 753-7600 or visit monroecounty.gov/hhw/reservation.